sharing joy in the bottle
-
Region Marlborough, New Zealand
Type Red Still
ABV 13.5%
Variety 100% Pinot NoirKeep your expectation in check and you shall enjoy a reasonable if standard-issue Marlborough Pinot by all means. From the onset this medium-light ruby wine never looked to punch above its weight. Dark cherries, red berries and supple tannins all did their parts in the soft play which ended unadventurously in a spicy theme. Forget about the fact that something comparable is available for less and you would find yourself warming up to it. — 2.5
Stockists RM80~104 Serial Cellar, B.I.G. | RM64 Milawa Warehouse Sale
-
Region Peumo, Rapel Valley, Chile
Type Red Still
ABV 14.0%
Variety 100% SyrahI could have mistaken this dark, glossy purple Syrah for Malbec across the border. It packed a hefty punch of smoke, wood, gamey blackberries and mocha like any Shiraz does, only without the signature spice in the full, muscular mouthful. Superripe, succulent flavours and rounded tannin cruised to a straightforward finish. While it didn’t make us sing, we couldn’t resist yearning for a bite at Big Mac halfway in. With little gas left in the tank, it still was a worthy half-priced capture. — 3
Stockists RM100~123.4 Tesco, Carrefour, Cold Storage, Mercato, Jasons Food Hall, d.Wine, Jaya Grocer, Wine Talk | RM50 d.Wine Sale
-
Region Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
Type Red Still
ABV 14.0%
Variety 90% Sangiovese, 10% CanaioloI had guzzled my fair share of Chianti mindless of what’s actually inside before I got serious about vino. Of course, this Badia a Coltibuono costs six times as much it deservedly called for a thought or two. Ruby, mildly perfumed with floral note. The subtlety of black cherry, minerality and tannic bite told an Old World origin. Feisty acidity drove a tart, mid-length finish which grew juicier. Alcohol lent heat but weighty it was not. Worked effortlessly with pizza, despite sign of age. — 2½
Stockists RM100~115 Cold Storage, Tesco, Carrefour, Aeon, Serial Cellar, Jaya Grocer | RM70 Cold Storage Wine Fair
-
Region Bourgogne, France
Type Red Still
ABV 13.0%
Variety 100% Pinot NoirNot all Burgundian négociants bottle a piece of terroir in their most basic of bottlings. For a sniff, dig deep and trade up. Ruby color looked the part but this Chanson region-wide appellation was no more than a poor shadow of the great stuff. At best a thin, medium weight offering of overly tart minerally red cherry and astringent mouthfeel. Angular and lacking nuance. It actually passed off convincingly as locally-bottled. Either gone or maybe it’s a vintage thing.
Stockists RM79~97 WW Wine Warehouse, Wine Talk
-
Region Coonawarra, South Australia
Type Red Still
ABV 14.5%
Variety 100% Cabernet SauvignonThis is some heady juice made from the king of grapes in cool climate Coonawarra. Opaque deep garnet colour hinted at a heavily oaked affair. The nose was a tobacco- and cedar-laced preview of minty blackcurrant jam confection, syrupy even. Slightly unctuous, mouth-filling texture felt clumsy no thanks to high extract and chewy tannins. Grippy and firm finish confirmed resiny tannins with signature Cab leafiness to boot. One step too ripe.
Stockists Not available in Malaysia
-
Region Colchagua Valley, Chile
Type Red Still
ABV 14.5%
Variety 44% Cabernet, 21% Syrah, 19% Carmenere, 15% Merlot(Poured at Veramonte Wine Tasting@La Bodega Lounge) There’s a risk saving the best for last. Three glasses and a good time in the lounge before sampling the estate’s flagship Primus had sort of clouded my palate. Without a doubt of a shadow a cut above the Reservas: it’s full, balanced, rich in dark cherry, smoky, seasoned with a nice touch of spice and that leafy aroma… that’s about all that I can tell.
Stockists RM98 Wine Talk
